Ball construction



' Dec. 7, 1965 H. K. DWORK BALL CONSTRUCTION Filed NOV. 22, 1961 FI G.3

INVENTOR.

Harold K. Dwork ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,222,065 BALL CONSTRUCTION Harold K. Dwork, 152 Sussex Ave, Newark, N .1. Filed Nov. 22, 1961, Ser. No. 154,119 1 Claim. (Cl. 272-67) This invention relates to a ball construction and more specifically to a do-it-yourself ball.

An object of this invention is to provide a do-it-yourself ball construction which is amusing to children and which will occupy a childs leisure.

Another object is to provide a ball construction which will require a small child to use his hands and fingers and thereby develop his muscular co-ordination and dexterity.

Another object is to provide a mechanical aid which is both helpful and amusing to a person afflicted with a physical handicap requiring strengthening and/or muscular development of his hands and fingers.

Other features and advantages will become readily apparent when considered in view of the drawings and description in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the ball construction shown with several initial windings of rubber bands thereon.

FIG. 2 is a modified form of the invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is still another modified form of the ball construction of this invention.

Referring to the drawings there is shown in FIG. 1 the improved ball construction of this invention. The ball construction 10 relates to a doit-yourself type of ball. It comprises essentially of a rubber core 11 of spherical configuration and it may be made either solid or hollow. The purpose of the core is to provide a base or form about which elastic bands 12 may be wound.

Small children find much fascination in simply winding a rubber band round and round about a core. Not only has it been noted that such exercise is amusing and fun but it also has been observed that it teaches a small child muscular co-ordination thereby improving their manual dexterity While at the same time it strengthens the fingers. In addition, the ball construction of this invention is particularly helpful for persons handicapped by infirm or deformed hands and/ or fingers.

In winding rubber bands about a spherical core, great difiiculty is encountered in applying the initial winding. This is due to the smooth surface of the spherical configuration of the core. In accordance with this invention means are provided on the surface of the core to provide for guiding or retaining the initial windings of a rubber band onto the spherical surface as the band is wound thereon regardless of the lay of the band. As seen in FIG. 1, the outer surface of the ball is covered with a plurality of outwardly projecting nibs 13. Thus, in winding the band 12 about the core 11, the bands in laying between the nibs will be retained thereon, i.e. prevented from slipping off the core regardless of the particular lay of the band 12. Therefore, the band 12 need not be wound about the diameter of the core only, but can be wound about the lesser circumference or circle of the core without slipping off the core. In this manner much 3,222,055 Patented Dec. 7, 1965 of the discouragement and frustration of a small child or infirm person in initiating the windings on the core is minimized.

FIG. 2 illustrates a modified form of the invention. In this form of the invention the outer surface of sphere 20 is formed with a plurality of grooves 21, 22 to define means for retaining the initial elastic windings thereon. As shown; parallel grooves 21, 22 are disposed at right angles to one another over the surface of the sphere 20. In this manner the parallel grooves define square lands or nibs 23. Therefore, in winding the elastic bands 24 as shown, the initial winding will be retained with their respective grooves. As a result, one is not easily frustrated and discouraged in covering the entire core with an elastic band, as the initial bands will not slip off the core.

FIG. 3 illustrates still another embodiment of a do-ityourself ball of this invention. In this form the spherical core 30 is formed of a sponge rubber over which the bands 31 are wound. The nature of the sponge rubber core 30 is such that the lay of the initial windings will form a depression in the surface of the sphere. As a result, the initial windings become imbedded in the depressions formed and are thus prevented from slipping OE. With a good initial layer of bands 31 imbedded in the core 30, the next succeeding layers can be readily built up thereon.

From the foregoing it will be noted that the improved ball construction is relatively simple in form, can be easily manufactured, and is positive in operation. It offers fun and amusement for small children. It further greatly enhances their muscular co-ordination and dexterity. Also the ball construction described can prove to be a therapeutic aid for the infirm or retarded person.

Variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

A ball construction comprising a spherical rubber core, said core having a plurality of outwardly projecting protuberances spaced over the surfaces thereof, and a series of endless elastic bands stretched at random about said core whereby said endless bands are adapted to he randomly superimposed one on the other to form a covering for said ball to the extent permitted by the height of said protuberances projecting therefrom, said protuberances providing means for retaining the endless bands stretched over said core in position thereon whereby said bands may be disposed over any said core along any cord length thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 646,350 3/1900 Breinl 273-58.2 726,471 4/ 1903 Smith 273-223 730,959 6/ 1903 Painter 273--230 X 2,664,289 12/1953 Norwich 27268 RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

JAMES W. LOVE, LOUIS R. PRINCE, Examiners. 

